Tea is extremely sensitive to air, light, and humidity, which is why it is important to store it properly from the moment you get home.
Unlike Sheng pu-erh, which gets better with time, most other types of tea don't age as gracefully.
But if you take care to store it properly, you can keep most types for up to a year or more.
Here are ten simple tips for storing tea and keeping it in tip-top condition: 1.
The first rule of thumb is to only buy small amounts of tea at one time, or only what you think you may use in a given time.
That way you aren't left with huge amounts of wasted tea - and money.
2.
How well a tea keeps depends a lot on how long and how well it was stored prior to you buying it.
Even though the time from production, to packing, shipping, and receiving by the end seller has been greatly reduced by vacuum packaging and air freight, any tea you purchase in the U.
S.
has still been stored for awhile.
The freshness of the tea you are buying depends on how well it has been stored after arriving at the end seller.
So when buying tea be sure to check the packaging to be certain it is airtight and sealed properly, with no rips or tears where air or moisture could enter.
3.
Once you get it home, immediately transfer either loose leaf tea or tea bags that are either packaged in paper or a light cardboard box, into a tea caddy, or airtight container.
4.
Tea can be stored in metal, ceramic, or wood containers that are airtight, with tight fitting lids.
5.
Some tea bags come individually sealed in foil packets.
These can be stored as is, as long as they are kept in a cool, dry area away from heat.
6.
It is okay to store loose tea in glass containers with tight fitting lids, but they must be stored in a dark cupboard away from direct sunlight.
Light can damage the leaves and affect the quality and flavor.
7.
Tea should never be kept in the refrigerator (this rule is controversial).
Some tea experts recommend refrigerating.
The question, though, isn't in keeping the tea cool.
The cool air would certainly be a good step to take.
But it's the question of moisture.
When refrigerating tea there is always a chance of moisture being introduced through condensation, and even one drop of moisture introduced into the container will certainly ruin the entire contents.
So, better to be safe than sorry.
My advice - don't refrigerate your tea.
The exception to this rule is Japanese Matcha.
Because it doesn't keep well, small amounts are packaged in vacuum sealed containers and refrigeration is recommended.
8.
And while we are on the subject of moisture - always be certain the spoon or scoop you use to measure out tea is absolutely dry.
It only takes a small drop of moisture to cause humidity to form inside the container or package, ruining both the flavor and quality.
9.
Tea readily absorbs other scents, flavors, and odors.
Never store flavored or scented teas together or near any other foods.
Each type of tea - green, black, white, scented, or flavored teas, etc.
, should be stored in their own airtight container.
10.
Never store tea in direct sunlight.
Bright light is the enemy of tea and will quickly damage leaves and ruin the quality.
Recent research shows that tea actually does best when stored in a cool, dark, slightly humid environment similar to a wine cellar.
Tea experts recommend that green, white, and yellow teas be used within about six months for the best quality and flavor.
If properly stored, black and oolong teas will last for about a year, and Sheng and loose leaf pu-erh can be stored indefinitely in the proper environment.
So by taking a few easy steps and storing your tea properly, you can always count on having a fresh, flavorful cup waiting for you to enjoy.
Unlike Sheng pu-erh, which gets better with time, most other types of tea don't age as gracefully.
But if you take care to store it properly, you can keep most types for up to a year or more.
Here are ten simple tips for storing tea and keeping it in tip-top condition: 1.
The first rule of thumb is to only buy small amounts of tea at one time, or only what you think you may use in a given time.
That way you aren't left with huge amounts of wasted tea - and money.
2.
How well a tea keeps depends a lot on how long and how well it was stored prior to you buying it.
Even though the time from production, to packing, shipping, and receiving by the end seller has been greatly reduced by vacuum packaging and air freight, any tea you purchase in the U.
S.
has still been stored for awhile.
The freshness of the tea you are buying depends on how well it has been stored after arriving at the end seller.
So when buying tea be sure to check the packaging to be certain it is airtight and sealed properly, with no rips or tears where air or moisture could enter.
3.
Once you get it home, immediately transfer either loose leaf tea or tea bags that are either packaged in paper or a light cardboard box, into a tea caddy, or airtight container.
4.
Tea can be stored in metal, ceramic, or wood containers that are airtight, with tight fitting lids.
5.
Some tea bags come individually sealed in foil packets.
These can be stored as is, as long as they are kept in a cool, dry area away from heat.
6.
It is okay to store loose tea in glass containers with tight fitting lids, but they must be stored in a dark cupboard away from direct sunlight.
Light can damage the leaves and affect the quality and flavor.
7.
Tea should never be kept in the refrigerator (this rule is controversial).
Some tea experts recommend refrigerating.
The question, though, isn't in keeping the tea cool.
The cool air would certainly be a good step to take.
But it's the question of moisture.
When refrigerating tea there is always a chance of moisture being introduced through condensation, and even one drop of moisture introduced into the container will certainly ruin the entire contents.
So, better to be safe than sorry.
My advice - don't refrigerate your tea.
The exception to this rule is Japanese Matcha.
Because it doesn't keep well, small amounts are packaged in vacuum sealed containers and refrigeration is recommended.
8.
And while we are on the subject of moisture - always be certain the spoon or scoop you use to measure out tea is absolutely dry.
It only takes a small drop of moisture to cause humidity to form inside the container or package, ruining both the flavor and quality.
9.
Tea readily absorbs other scents, flavors, and odors.
Never store flavored or scented teas together or near any other foods.
Each type of tea - green, black, white, scented, or flavored teas, etc.
, should be stored in their own airtight container.
10.
Never store tea in direct sunlight.
Bright light is the enemy of tea and will quickly damage leaves and ruin the quality.
Recent research shows that tea actually does best when stored in a cool, dark, slightly humid environment similar to a wine cellar.
Tea experts recommend that green, white, and yellow teas be used within about six months for the best quality and flavor.
If properly stored, black and oolong teas will last for about a year, and Sheng and loose leaf pu-erh can be stored indefinitely in the proper environment.
So by taking a few easy steps and storing your tea properly, you can always count on having a fresh, flavorful cup waiting for you to enjoy.